Further information

Design portfolio

New Logger for BAS

The British Antarctic Survey commissioned Micro-Robotics to produce a
general purpose data logger that builds on technology developed for
the BAS Radar Controller.

Based on the VM2 microcontroller, the logger has dual redundant memory cards, an Iridium satellite modem, a GPS module
and an I2C Bus as standard.

New features are two instrument channels, each consisting of a
power-switchable RSR232 serial port and associated 12VDC power supply, a
large number of general purpose I/O pins and a prototyping area.
An Ethernet interface allows it to be configured using a web browser. The
low power sleep mode is critical in extending battery life over the
Antarctic winter.

Technologies

File systems on two SD cards for redundancy

Ethernet

Iridium satalite modem

GPS

Ethernet for Web server

Low power standby modes

Ultra Low power, low noise switching power supply

Software

4A Switch Mode Power Supply with 5µA Iq

Designed for the British Antarctic Survey, this is a switch mode power supply
for instruments powered from a 12V battery. The 5µA quiescent current
means the power supply can be left on continously for months without undue
drain on the battery, removing the need for complex power switching.
The efficency of better than 90% is remarkable, though not critical in this application.

Technologies

Low noise Switch Mode Power Supply design

USB - RS-232 Converter

This implements the host side driver for a proprietary USB device protocol,
and converts data received over the USB link into RS-232 serial messages.

Technologies

Custom board

Low power consumption (the whole installation is usually
battery powered)

Technologies

Software

Embedded C: Written by Micro-Robotics. PC-based recharge application
written by Micro-Robotics.

Clinical Nerve Stimulator - Prototype

Prototype for the above, based on our standard VM1 embedded
controller. Fifteen prototypes were used in successful clinical
trials before the production unit was commissioned.

The controller is not fitted in this image. It plugs into
the black connectors and is the same width as the main board.

Software

Embedded C: Written by Micro-Robotics.

Down-Hole Data Logger

Measures physical parameters several kilometres down a
borehole, transmitting them to the surface over a current loop
serial link. Based on our standard VM1
controller, seen here
mounted in the centre of the main board.

This was a quick turn-around design to meet ship sailing deadline: six
weeks from contact to working prototypes, further three weeks to
production units.